Vehicle wheel



Juny 17, 1923 1,46L978 J. G. FEIL VEHICLE' WHEELv Filed Aug. 24, 1922 3 sheets-sheet 1 Juny '17, 1923- ELQTS J. G. FEM.

VEHICLE WHEEL- Filed Aug. 24, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 17, 1923. 1,461,978

. J. G. FEIL VEHI CLE WHEEL inicie reni orarie,

Jorrit e. rnrn, or nnncnsconn, vicomte.

VEHICLE WHEEL. Y

Application led August'z, 1922. Serial No. 584,066;

To all whom t may' concern Be it known that l, Jorrit G. F nn., a citih zen of the United States, .residing at Blackstone, in the county ol? Nottoway and State of Virginia, `have invented certain new and useful improvements in: Vehicle W'Yheels; and l do hereby declare the ilfollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description oi'.z the invention, such will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has it'or its object the provision of a vehicle wheel having a resilient tread and designed for automobiles and analogous motor vehicles having the wheels equipped with pneumatic tires.

The principal object oi the invention is the provision of a wheel possessing substantially all the advantages oit wheels equipped with pneumatic tires but liree from the disadvantages resulting from pifuicture, blowout, rim cut and loss of air.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent and suggest themselves as the nature of the invention is understood.

While the drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that in adapting the same to meet dili'erent conditions and requirements, various changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the nature of the invention. c

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the application,

Figure 1 is a side view of portion oi' a vehicle wheel embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional detail in the plane of the wheel on the line 2-2 `oli` Figure 13,

Figure 3 is a detail View of an end portion of one of the boxes pivotally connected to the outer end ot the telescoping spoke mem* ber, parts being broken away.

Figure is a detail perspective View ol" one of the lock bars,

Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line 5 5 of Figurel, showing the parts on a larger scale, i

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional detail el*` the felloe, the spoke member attached thereto,` the sleeve slidable within the fixed spoke member kand the telescopingfspoke" member to which said sleeve connected, a

Figure 7 1s a section on the line 7-7 of Figure 6, f

is adj ustably Figure 8 is an elevation of the outer end of a'iXed or inner spoke member,l

Figure 9 is a side view of the sleevel which is adjustable/on the telescoping spoke inember and slidable within the inner or fixed spoke member, l

`Figure 10 is a section on the line lOlO otFigure 9,

Figure 11 is a sectional detail on the line ll-ll of Figure 1, looking in the direction `oi" the arrows5 Figure l2 is a sectional 12 12 of Figure 2,

Figure 13`13 of Figure 1, looking 'in the direction of the arrows, parts being broken away,

Figure 14 a detail view of the outer end of a telescoping tread member and the intermediate portion of the box pivoted thereto, showing the packing and the means for retaining the packing in place, parts being broken away,

Figure 15 is a sectional detail on the line 15-15 of Figure 14, iooking in the direction of the arrows,

rFigure 16 is a side vi cap 'ilor retaining the packing in position,

c Figurel is aplan view of the packing, an end portion being brokenaway, v

Figure 18 is a side view of the frame which supports the lock bars which coact with the box and the head applied to the outer end of a telescoping spoke member,

v Figure 19 is an end view of the frame shown in Figure 18, 1and `Figure 2Q is a detail view of one of the abutment plates coacting With a lock bar andits actuating spring.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and designatedinthe severalviews of the drawings by like reference characters.

` The wheel comprises a hub, telescoping spokes, a lixed felloe and a resilient sectional rim. The hub comprises companion yplates 1 between which the inner, ends of the spokes are secured by means of bolts 2 or like fastenings. The spokes comprise inner tubular members 3 which Iare made fast at their inner ends to the hub and at their outer ends tothe felloe 4:. A nut 5 is ythreadedupon the outer end of each of the spokefmembers 3 and is let into the felloe 4- so asto collie liush with the outer side thereof. 'A band 6 is clamped about each detail on the line spoke member 3 adjacent the inner side of" 18 is a sectional detail on the liner ew ofthe sectional g y Leonora the felloe 4: and is provided upon its inner side with a tongue 7 which passes through an opening in a- 3 ,and enters an elongated opening S formed in a side of a sleeve 9 threaded upon the outer spoke member 10 which telescopes within the inner spoke member 3. ln this manner, the band 6 is prevented from turning upon the spoke member 3 and the sleeve 9 is prevented from turning within said spoke member 3 and is free to move therein with the spoke member 10. The sleeve 9 is secured to the spoke member 10 in the required adjusted position by means 'of a screw 11 which is threaded into the spoke member 10 and has its outer end projecting into a slot 12 formed in a side of the sleeve 9. This prevents turning` of the spoke member 10 inthe sleeve 9 after the parts have been adjusted and the screw 11 positioned so that its inner end engages the member 1() and its outer end projects into the slot 12. lVhen it is required to adjust the spoke member 10 in the sleeve 9, the screw 11 must be removed and after the adjustment has been effected, the spoke member 10 inustbe adjusted so that the opening formed therein to receive the screw 11 must register with the slot 12, whereby the screw 11 may be properly positioned.V Registering openings are formed in the band 6 and spoke member 3 to receivel a screw 13 and these openings admit oi: the removal and replacement of the screw 11.

Plates 14C are secured to the outer side of the elloe i and reinforce and strengthen ,the same. The ends ot the plates 14 are notched to Ytit about the outer ends oi the nuts 5.

' plied The edges of the plates 14 are bent to ein--` brace opposite sides of the felloe 4i to which they are. secured by screws or analogous fastenings 15. The plates lei form in effect a sectional elloefband. Packing 16 is apto the outerk portion of `each spoke member 10 and is confined between a nut 17 and a collar or shoulder 18. The packing 16 maintains a close joint between the spoke members. This packing is adjusted byy means of the ynut 17.

To the outer end or' each spoke member 10 is itted a circular head 19 which cooperates with a socket 2O secured to the bottom of a box 2l through which the outer end of Vthe spoke :member 10 projects. Depressions 22 arelformed in the outer side of the head 19 at diametrically opposite points and receive the inner ends oi'lock bars v23 which are urged inwardly by means oi' expansible helical springs 24 mounted thereon. The lock bars 23 are mounted inma frame 25 which is secured within the box 21v and has its middle portion arched to extend over the sockets 20. The ends of the `trame 25 have openings through which the outer ends of:

the lodk bars 23 pass `and said first menside of the spoke memberlock bars and prevents anything interferingwith such parts. Openings 29 formed in a side of the inner end portions ot the lock bars are adapted to receive elementsv not shown, such as rods which are adapted to be used as pries for tort-,ing the l ck bars 23 outwardly to clear the head 19 when it is rel ed to disengage the box 21 irom tl spoke member 10. Corresponding opening 30 are .termed in the iframe 25 and housint 2S to admit of said prying elements engagin the openings 29 of the lock bars 2S when i,L i required to disengage said lock bars from the head 19. y packing Blyusually ot rubber, is app ed to the bottom side of the box 21 facing theielloe oi the wheel so as to maintain a close joint between the spoke member 10 and the box 2l., whereby to exclude moisturenv dust other foreign matter. This pack ing retained inplace bj.' means of a sectional cap Screws 35i, or analogous tastenings secure the sections ot the cap to the bottomV ofthe bof; 21 and pass 'through transversely elongated openings 34 formed in the sections of the cap. Y txpansible helical springs 35, mounted upon the bolts 33 and coniined between the heads thereoi'and the sections ot the cap yield ably press said cap to the bottom ot the box The sections comprising` the cap 32 are yieldably connected by means ot screws 36 and springs 37, the latter being ofi the er;- pansible helical type and contined between the heads oit the screws 36 and parts of the section through which said screws loosely telescoping housing 3S encloses each of ie springs'? and the hea d portion oit the screw n rubber block 39 is fitted in cach of the-boxes and projects therefrom a distance to provide afsott tread. VEach or" the boxes provided at one end with a rod .or bar ai), whose opposite end portions are vreduced and project through openings Jformed in oppositeY sides oit the bei; and are retained in place by means oie. washers' il secured tothe outer side of the box. Links 12 are secured to the opposite end portions of the bor. by means oi' bolt 43. said links projecting; and having longitudinal slots i4 in theprojecting ends to receive the reduced ends of the rod or bar 40 oi? the Aadjacent box, whereby the boxes are coupled and are adapted to have a free rocking' anc. inward increment.

il] hen preferred, metal tread sectionsA 4:5

Leonora may be provided and tted to the projectingportions ot the resilient blocks 39. The inner sides oll the tread sections l5 are hollouT to receive the outer portions ot the blocks 39 to which they are litted. Ears fl-6 project inwardly on opposite sides oit the tread sections e5 and are formed with radial slots l? to receive bolts i8 which pass through the boxes 2l. and hold the tread sections in place. Opposite end portions ot adjacent tread sections 45 overlap so as to maintain in effect an unbroken metallic tread. The metal tread sections i- 5 sustain the Wear and are cushioned by the rubber blocks 39 and the action of the telescoping' spokes which contain air and load sustaining springs. j

in expansible helical spring 49 is disposed Within cach ot the spoke members and is confined between an abutment 50 and the sleeve 9. The tension oit the spring (9 may be regulated by adjust-ment ot the sleeve 9 in the manner herein stated. ln addition to the action ot the spring 4:9 in sustaining.;V the load, it is to be understood that the air confined in the spoke section 3 also operates to sustain the load, it beineunderstood that the inner end oit the` spoke section is hermeticallv sealed and the packing` 16 maintains a. close joint between the outer end oit the spoke section 3 and the telescopinfr spoke section l0. The tension 'of the spring 49 is regulated by disconnecting' the outer end of the spoke section l() trom the boX 2l and removing the screw ll, after which the spoke section lO is rotated to cause the sleeve 9 to move inward or outward as required. lt is further observed that the metallic tread sections 1-5 may be dispensed with it desired, in which case the rubber blocks 39 sustain the Wear and constitute the tread ot' the Wheel.

What is claimed is: j

l. ln a Wheel of the character specified, a. tubular spoke member. a companion spoke member telesJoping' therewith, a sleeve threaded on the telescopingg' spoke member and disposed Within the tubular spoke member, a. band clamped about the tubular spoke member and having a projection passino' through an opening` in a side thereof and engaging' said sleeve to prevent turning; thereof, means insertable through reg-isterinp; openings formed in said band and tubular spoke member to engage said sleeve and the spoke member upon which it is mounted to prevent turning thereof. said means havingC longitudinal play in the sleeve, and an expansible helical spring Withinthe tubular spoke member and engaging the said sleeve and adapted to have its effective tension regulated thereby.

2. ln a Wheel of the character specified, a t'clloe, telescoping spokes in cooperative relation with the elloe, nuts let into the outer side of the ielloe and engaging the inner spoke members, and plates secured to the outer side or' the telloe between adjacent spokes and having; their longitudinal edge portions bent to embrace opposite sides of the telloe to which they are attached and having their ends notched to receive the said nuts which extend `through the openings termed by the matching` notches.

3. tn a Wheel ot the character specified, telescoping spokes.. tread members at the outer ends of the movable spoke members, links at one end of each tread member and secured to opposite sides thereof and projecting outwardly therefrom and having loutudinal slots in their projecting4 ends, and lateral elements at the other ends of the tread members to engage the slots `in the projecting ends ot' Y said links.

4,. ln a Wheel ot the character specied, comprising` telescoping spokes, tread members at the outer ends oit the movable spoke membersn a rod at one end of each tread member haring opposite ends reduced and projecting1 beyond the'sides thereof, elements receiving' the reduced ends of the rod and secured to opposite sides ot. the tread member and engaging; the shoulders formed by reducing the ends of said rod whereby to hold the latter inplace. and links secured to opposite sides ot the adjacent tread member and projecting and having; longitudinal slots in the projecting ends to receive the reduced lends ofthe said rod.

5. ln a Wheel of the character specified, embodying telescoping spokes, circular heads pivoted to the outer ends ot' the telescoping spoke members, a tread member pivoted inh termediate its ends to the outer end ot each telescoping spoke member, and lock bars at opposite ends ot the tread member and having their inner ends engaging the circular head of the telescoping' spoke member at diametrically opposite points.

6. ln a `Wheel of the character specified comprisingtelescoping spokes. circular heads pivoted to the outer ends of the telescoping spoke members, a tread. member at the outer end of each telescoping spoke member, a socket carried by the tread member and coactin g with said circular heads, and lock bars at opposite ends or" the tread member passing loosely through said socket and engaging the circular ponts.

` 7. In a Wheel of the character speciiied comprising` telescoping spokes, circular heads pivotedto the outer ends ot the telescoping spoke members, a tread member at the outer end ot each telescoping spoke member, a socket carried by the tread member and coacting with said circular heads, lock bars at opposite ends ot the tread member passing loosely through said socket and engaging the circular headat` diametrically opposite head at diametrically opposite points, and a housing' enclosing the socket and loclr bars.

8. In a wheel of the character specilied, embodying` telescoping spokes, a circular head pivoted to the outer end of each telescoping spoke rneniber, a tread ineinber, a socket carried by the treac. incniloer and coacting with the circular head, a 'traine on the tread ieniber, loclr'bars mounted in the traine and having" their inner ends passing` loosely 'through the soclet and engaging the circular head at diametrically opposite points, expansible helical springs mounted on the lock bars and urging; their inwardly, abntinents 'lor .the outer` ends oli said springs having adjustable connection with the 'trarne 'for varying' the tension oit the springs, and a housing" enclosing; said Trame and the parts iuonnted thereon.

9. In a Wheel of the character specilicd7 embodying; telescopingi; spokes, a tread incinber pivoted to the outer end oi each telescoping spol're incniber. cachingbetween the tread incrnber and spokes, retaining rneans lor holding' the 'oa-.ching` in place. said retaining means embodying clions. means for yieldably connectinf;` the sections, and other rneans for yieldably connecting` each 'of said sections to thetread member.

l0. In a Wheel of the character specilied, embodying telescoping spokes.l a tread ineinber nivoted to the outer end of each telescoping spolre nieniber, a packing; Ytor nia-inteining a close joint between the spokes and tread member, a sectional cap engaging the packing, means yieldably connecting the sections of the cap, and other means yieldably connecting' the sectional cap to the tread member.

ll. In a Wheel of the character specilied, embodying telescoping spokes, a tread inember pivotally connected to the outer end of each telescoping spoke member, a resilient block carried by each tread rnernber, and a metallic tread section having adjustable co'nnection with each tread ineinber and are ranged so that adjacent ends of the several tread sections overlap to provide an unbroken or continuous tread.

12. In a Wheel of the character specied, i

embodying' telescoping1 spokes, tread members pivoted to the outer ends of the telescoping spoke ineinbers, links adjustably connecting` the tread ineinbers, resilient bloclrs fitted to the outer side oi' each tread inernber', metallic tread section seated upon the resilient blocks and having their end portions overlapped and provided at opposite sides with radially slotted elements ernbracing opposite sides of the respectve tread members. and means carried by the tread inenibers and passing;l through the radial slots of the side elements of vthe tread sections,

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence oit two Witnesses.

JOHN G. FEIL. 

